This analysis by Amir Taheri in today’s Times of what he sees as new realities in the Middle East is worth reading.

This by Tom Gross is also useful.

Technorati Tags: Amir Taheri, Times, Middle East

Wednesday 2 August, 2006 The weather’s gone kind of cool and a bit autumnal. After the heat and humidity it’s a relief. But let’s hope that’s not the end of summer - we’ve only just started August.

It seems that African Body Percussion is the thing — rhythmic stomping and hitting oneself as a form of exercise. Well, daughter-in-law Vicky is into this big time and she’s sent this message — yes, more shameless promotion for a member of my family.

As you may know, we have been working hard on a DVD called ‘Tribal Groove‘ for several months! We filmed last summer and now the DVD is finally complete!

As you can imagine, we would like to get as much publicity as possible and spread this as far and wide as we can. The DVD is excellent and not only teaches people how to do some fantastic body percussion moves, it’s also GREAT to use with children and youth of any age as it focuses on implementing communication skills, respect and virtues into everyday life.

We are selling the standard edition off our own site initially (www.africanbodypercussion.com) but will soon be also selling it on Amazon, Play.com and possibly in HMV and Virgin. We would be SO grateful if you could help us out by purchasing a copy - The standard edition is currently being sold at a reduced price at ?10.95 (until 31st August) and is really great value for money with hours of learning and exercise on it!

If you don’t want a copy yourself, then if you know anyone with kids, it makes a superb pressie! It’s also great for anyone who wants to learn an exciting new exercise so don’t feel they have to have children to buy a copy!

We would love it if you could email all your contacts and let them know about Tribal Groove, as that would really help us out in spreading the word.

Thanks very much and if you have any questions about the DVD, do email me! If you also have any ideas about promoting it, then of course, drop me a line.

Visit the website and pass the message on! By the way, Vicky’s email address is victoria[at]littleguru.co.uk

Technorati Tags: African Body Percussion, exercise, Tribal Groove, communication

Synkronyst is Tom Leith’s music site. I guess I’m allowed some parental bias here, but I really like the music and I think the site’s visuals are striking.

I strongly recommend a visit!

Technorati Tags: Synkronyst, music

Bombs do not choose. They will hit everything. — Nikita Kruschev

How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? — Lao Tzu

In war, truth is the first casualty. — Aeschylus

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is just putting on its shoes. — Mark Twain

As I try to gain a clearer understanding of the tragically unfolding events Middle East, it seems to me that not all of the mainstream media are as unbiased and balanced as professional journalism should be. Not an insight of any originality, I know, but one that is reinforced day by day.

Having said that, here are a couple of interesting pieces from mainstream media outlets. The BBC News website published an interesting account by an Englishwoman living near Haifa. And The Guardian recentlypublished a revealing profile of Hizbullah

I’m finding some of the blogs I’m reading more illuminating than the mainstream media. Here, for instance, is a fascinating series of blog entries showing how photojournalism can manipulate our understanding and itself be manipulated.

In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men. The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing. — Bah?’u'll?h

Technorati Tags: war, truth, Middle East, journalism, Haifa, Hizbullah, blogs, newspapers